Networks

Introduction

Today every  organization rely on computers and computers  have  become  most essential component  in organizations and they  need them  for communication,  sharing of files ,voice chat, data storage and many more things. Computers are interconnected  with each other  is  referred as network. These networks  are utilizing  either Wired or Wireless technology. Ethernet  is the traditional wired network  but wireless network technology  is  becoming popular. Wired  and   Wireless  networks  have  their own advantages  as well as disadvantages.

Wired  Networks

Wired LANs utilize Ethernet cables and  network adapters  but two computers  can be  wired  using  an ethernet crossowver cable.  In order to  accommodate more computes  Wired LANs  require centrea devices such as hubs, swtiches  or routers   to have room for  more computers.

Wireless  Networks

WLAN technology  follows  one of the three  key Wi-Fi communication standards. 802.11b was   the first standard to be used in WLans. 802.11a standard is  faster however,   more expensive than  the above.  In  commercial networks  802.11s  is widely used. 802.g taking efforts to  merge  both 802.11a  and 802.11b  but it is much more expensive. The benefits of wireless networking depend on the standard utilized.

Installation

In wired  Ethernet cable  should    run from one  computer to another computer or otherwise  to the central device. When the computers are  in differetn locations   it takes  lot of time and  not  easy  to  take cables   through walls  and  also under the  floor area. The   cabling  arrangement   for a wired LAN varies depending on the   devices, the type of Internet connection, and  modems which are utizlied  whether internal or external.   After hardware installation,   other  steps in   arranging  wired or wireless LANs do not change much. Both rely on standard Internet Protocol and network operating systemconfiguration options.

In  Wireless there are two different wayas Wi-fi networks can be configured. Infrastructure  mode allocates wireless devices to communicate with a central node  which  in turn  communicate with wired nodes on that LAN.  Ad hoc mode allocates  wireless devices to communicate in peer-to-peer mode with each other. Most LANs need  infrastructure mode to  Internet, a   printer, or other wired services, whereas ad hoc mode supports only basic file sharing  among   devices. Both Wi-Fi modes  need  wireless network adapters, now and then called WLAN cards. Infrastructure mode WLANs in addition,  need a  access point. The access point  should  be installed in a central location where wireless radio signals can arrive at  with least obstruction. Even though Wi-Fi signals usually reach 100 feet (30 m) or more than that  obstacles such as  walls can significantly decrease their range.

Cost

Wired  networks it is very cheap  comparatively namely   Ethernet cables, hubs and switches. Connection sharing software  packages such as ICS   can be obtained free of charge  or  inexpensive.  However, Broadband routers  are expensive  although   there are other alternatives such as a wired LAN. However, their   higher cost can be counter balanced  because of  easier installation  and  security features.

In comparison  Wireless gear costs   more than the equivalent wired Ethernet products. Wireless adapters and access points may cost three or four times as much as Ethernet cable adapters and hubs, switches, in that order. 802.11b products have dropped in price significantly with the release of 802.11g.

Reliability

Ethernet cables, hubs and switches are exceptionally consistent, mostly  as a result of  manufacturers have been continually improving Ethernet technology  during the past. Sometimes loose cables are   annoying source of failure in a wired network. When installing a wired LAN or moving any of the components later, it is necessary to be vigilant  to  check   cable connections. During the past  Broadband routers have also suffered from some reliability problems. Contrasting other Ethernet gear, these products are comparatively new, multi-function devices. Broadband routers have matured  during the  past   years and their reliability has enhanced very much.

 

Wireless LANs suffer a few more reliability problems than wired LANs, though perhaps not enough to be a significant concern. 802.11b and 802.11g wireless signals are subject to meddling from other home appliances.  Examples  microwave ovens, cordless telephones, and garage door  auto openers. However,  With cautious installation, the probability of  such meddling  can be reduced. Wireless networking products,  such  as  802.11g, are  new.  It will take some time to  advancing. 

Performance

Wired LANs  provide  greater performance. Conventional Ethernet connections provide  merely 10 Mbpsbandwidth, although 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet technology costs   very  little more. However,  100 Mbps represent a   maximum performance never    achieved in practice,  Ethernet should be sufficient for high-speed Internet access. Wired LANs using  hubs can undergo performance slowdown  in the event  computers heavily utilize the network at the same time. Use Ethernet switches in its place of hubs to keep away from this problem  a switch costs only very  little more than a hub.

 

Wireless LANs using 802.11b support a maximum   bandwidth of 11 Mbps, approximately the same as that of   conventional Ethernet. 802.11a and 802.11g WLANs support 54 Mbps, which  is just about one-half the bandwidth of  Ethernet.Wi-Fi performance is distance sensitive which means    maximum performance will degrade on computers   away from the access point or other communication end point.Since   more wireless devices  use  the WLAN more a great deal, performance degrades still more. In general   the performance of 802.11a and 802.11g is adequate for  sharing and file sharing, however,  usually not adequate for   LAN gaming. The greater mobility of wireless LANs assist counterbalance the performance disadvantage. Mobile computers do not need to be tied to an Ethernet cable and can roam freely within the WLAN range. However, many computers are larger desktop models, and even mobile computers must sometimes be tied to an electrical cord and outlet for power. This undermines the mobility advantage of WLANs in many homes.

Security

Firewalls are the primary security consideration   or any wired LAN connected to the Internet,. Wired Ethernet hubs and switches  are not compatible to   firewalls. On the other hand, firewall software products like Zone Alarm can be installed on the computers. Broadband routers provide  alike firewall competence put up into the device, configurable through its own software.

Wireless networks  are less secure than wired   networks  as  wireless communication signals travel through the air and can easily be intercepted. The  weaknesses of wireless security are more theoretical than practical. WLANs defend their data through the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption standard which  makes wireless communications reasonably  safe  same as wired  networks. However, n   network is totally secure. Significant security considerations for related to whether the network is wired or wireless but rather ensuring internet firewall is appropriately  configured. It is necessary to  aware of the spoof e-mails  and  the way to recgnize them and  familiar with the spyware and how to avoid them  and also  unnecessary people should not  be given access to the network. 

 

Conclusion

The information  above   summarizes the  comparison of  wired and wrieless networks.  For a  cost-conscious  organization or an individual  , need maximum performance of  system, and  not consider much   about mobility, then a wired Ethernet LAN is probably appropriate. In the event    cost is less of an issue, it is necessary to concern about the task of wiring    with Ethernet cable, then  it is necessary to  consider a wireless LAN. Many organizations and individuals   will obviously fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

References

 

http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/homenetworking/a/homewiredless_3.htm

http://www.extremetech.com/electronics/168566-worlds-fastest-wireless-network-hits-100-gigabits-per-second-can-scale-to-terabits.

http://www.vicomsoft.com/knowledge/reference/wireless1.html#6

http://www.blackbox.com/tech_docs/tech_overviews/wiredwireless.html